Amendment Needed To Protect Flag

June 18, 1990|The Morning Call

To the Editor:

After reading your editorial and hearing various news reports on the flag-burning decision of the United States Supreme Court, I felt an overwhelming feeling of anger and indeed sadness due to the fact you conclude the desire to protect our national flag is a political football. Patriotism is not to be taken lightly as you imply. The Constitution has been amended in the past and it appears it needs amending once again.

As an evidently, vastly under-educated person who cannot fathom, to one iota, how the Supreme Court can interpret the Constitution to declare a law prohibiting burning or desecrating the flag to be a violation of our precious right of free speech, leaves me bewildered.

Before writing this letter, I searched my encyclopedia and dictionary for the meaning of "speech." From what I read, and believe I understand, speech is the act of speaking, uttering of words or sentences or just plain talk, if you will. Now then, what does burning or desecrating our flag have to do with the aforementioned definition? Absolutely nothing!

My nine-year-old daughter asked me why I was writing a letter. I explained to her about the Supreme Court decision to which she replied, "They deserve a gigantic "X," which is her way of saying they are very wrong.

According to an article in today's Morning Call, Senator Bob Dole and 34 Senate co-sponsors had an amendment ready to be presented to the Senate. Of course, several Democrats, in all their "infallibility" declared a constitutional amendment is not necessary. Because I am a patriotic American, American Legionnaire, and U.S. Army veteran, I suggest the constitutional amendment to protect our national flag is needed and what is not needed are those members of Congress who vote against the constitutional amendment.

So in conclusion, let me say to all my fellow patriots and veterans of the armed forces, your country needs you once again to persuade our elected representatives to vote for the constitutional amendment to protect our national flag, forever!